Hoist construction



June 2, 1964 D. c. HARLANDER 3,135,478

HOIST CONSTRUCTION Filed June 27, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet l ZaL/r 414/"1477' DIN! Y5 June 1954 D. c. HARLANDER HOIST CONSTRUCTION 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 27, 1961 INVENTOR.

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HOIST CONSTRUCTION Filed June 27, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Da/wuoCI them/mi! jazz r 69/ ITTOI/VEXF United States Patent Ofi ice 3,135,478HOIST CUNSTRUCTIGN Donald C. Harlander, Orinda, Califi, assignor to YubaConsolidated Industries, Inc. Filed iune '27, 1961, Ser. No. 126,023 8Claims. (Cl. 242- 117) My invention relates primarily to devices for usein taking in and paying out ropes such as wire ropes in parallel and hasfound particular commercial application in connection with the raisingand lowering of tainter gates utilized in hydro projects. In such anenvironment it is desirable to provide a hoist effective simultaneouslyto operate a plurality of lines or ropes in parallel, for example, nineparallel lines or ropes which extend to anchor points on the taintergate itself. The hoist is actuated by power in any suitable fashion. Oneof the difliculties in connection with such an installation is toprovide a suitable hoist construction so that the individual ropesthemselves can not onlybe firmly attached to the hoist but can readilybe guided in their coiling and uncoiling operation and in which theropes and the attendant rope mechanism can readily be accessible forinspection, for changing the ropes from time to time and for other,comparable purposes.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a hoistconstruction in which the ropes are arranged in parallel for readyattachment to and detachment from the drum and in which there aresuitable guide structures for governing the paying out and taking in ofthe ropes and in which the construction is readily and economically madeand easily and quickly serviced.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hoist construction inwhich the parts of the hoist can readily be handled and disposed despitetheir size and weight.

Another object of the invention is in general to provide an improvedhoist construction. 7

Other objects together with the foregoing are attained in theembodiments of the invention described in the accompanying descriptionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 7 7

FIGURE. 1 is a cross section on a generally vertical, axial planethrough one form of hoist construction pursuant to the invention, theropes being shown in coiled condition;

FIGURE 2 is for the most part a cross section, the plane of which isindicated by the line 22 of FIGURE 1 and which also shows indiagrammatic form the position of certain parts which have beendetached;

FIGURE 3 is a cross section similar to FIGURE 1 but showing a modifiedform of hoist construction pursuant to the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a cross section, the plane of which is indicated by the line44 of FIGURE 3 but with the drive gear omitted; v

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view comparable to FIG URE 3 but showing aportion of that form of the hoist construction in partially disassembledcondition; and

FIGURE 6 is an end elevation of the portion of the mechanism especiallyshown in FIGURE 5.

While the hoist construction pursuant to the invention can easily beembodied in a number of different ways, it has been successfullyembodied in the commercial forms shown herein utilized primarily inconnection with 3,135,478 Patented June 2, 1964 tainter gates.Considering first the particular embodirnent illustrated in FIGURES 1and 2, there is provided a hoist drum 6. This is a fabricated structureincluding a pair of aligned journal shafts 7 and 8 both concentricallydisposed in end-to-end relationship on an axis 9 of rotation and ofsymmetry. The journal shafts 7 and 8 are designed to be supportedrotatably in a supporting structure (not shown) of standard arrangement.The journnal shafts are connected by certain intervening discs 11 and 12and by reinforcing plates 13 and 14 to a drum shell 16 of generallycylindrical configuration. The shell is symmetrical about the axis 9 andhas ap propriate shoulders for positioning the discs 11 and 12 and theplates 13 and 14, fastened in place by appropriate Welding beads.

The drum shell 16 at one end is provided with a turned portion 17adapted to receive a driving gear 18. This gear has a hub 19encompassing the drum shell 16 and also has a web 21 surrounded by a rim22 on which gear teeth 23 are provided. The driving mechanism (notshown) is in engagement with the gear teeth 23 and revolvesthe gear andthe drum 6 simultaneously. since there is provided a key 24appropriately received in a notch 26 in the gear hub 19 and alsoreceived in a key way 27 formed in the drum shell 16. 5

Pursuant to the invention, the drum shell 16 is formed 'around itsexterior with a plurality of adjacent grooves 31. The grooves are spacedapart a predetermined distance as established by remaining orintervening lands 32.

In addition to and partly intersecting the circumferential grooves 31,the drum is also provided with a key way 33 extending parallel to theaxis 9 and constituting substantially a continuation of the key way 27.In fact, the key way. 33 and the key way 27 can be formed simultaneouslyand as a: continuous channel.

Designed to abut the hub 19 and to rest against the adjacent .one of thelands 32 is an end plate 36 of generally annular form for axialassembly. While the plate 36 can be made in two semi-annular segments 37and 38 assembled by radial motions over the drum shell 16, preferablythe plate 36 is in one piece seated on the portion 17. The plate 36 onits inner periphery is contoured to afford an indented notch 39 of aconfiguration to correspond approximately to the outline of the key 24and while normally out of touch with the key 24, may actually bepartially in engagement with such key without harm.

' Located in the key way 33 and projecting radially thereabove andfarther out than the surface of the drum shell 16 are anchor blocks 41of substantially identical configuration disposed in immediate abutmentwith each other. All of the blocks have similar characteristics so thata description of one applies equally to all. Each anchor block 41includes a body of metal having a relatively flat nether surface 42, apair of parallel sides 43 and 44, a pair of parallel ends 46 and 47 andan arcuate top surface 48, the center of curvature of which is on theaxis 9. The radial distance of the surface 48 from the adjacent'surfaceofthe land 32 is substantially that of the diameter of the rope to beutilized. The block itself is provided with an approximately tangentialbut tapering through bore 51 in which one end of a Wire rope 52 islodged, expanded and leaded in the usual way so that the wire rope isfirmly and permanently anchored in the anchor block.

All of the anchor blocks are installed side by side within the key way33 as shown in FIGURE 1. The end block is disposed within the notch 39indented in the interior periphery of the end plate 37. Thus the blockis partially restrained against radial withdrawal.

Comparable to the interengagement of the plate 37 with the end block 41is the engagement of a plurality of somewhat similar but axially thickersemi-annular plates generally designated 56. Conveniently, each of theseplates is made up of a pair of semicircular or semiannular members 57and 58 of suificient axial extent to overlie one side of one end blockand as well to overlie and engage with the other side of the nextadjacent anchor block. One of the plates of each pair is provided withan indented notch 66 to accommodate the subjacent block portions and theplate widths are such as to fit well into the grooves 31.

The plates 56 are drawn together against the drum shell and the anchorblocks by releasable or removable fastenings. For that reason thevarious plates are provided with pairs of lugs 61 and 62, each pairbeing bored to receive a through bolt 63 and a securing nut 64. When thenut 64 is tightened the two semi-annular plates are drawn together andare firmly seated within the grooves 31. For use in handling, each ofthe plates 57 is provided with a lifting bail 67.

In the use of this mechanism, when the ropes are entirely payed out theyextend in parallel relationship to each other and lie approximatelytangent to the surface 32 of the drum shell 16. They are disposed withappropriate freedom between adjacent ones of the plate members 56 and58, the axial constraint being afforded entirely by the positioning ofthe various plates 56 within the drum grooves 31.

When the drive is actuated so that the gear 18 is appropriatelyrevolved, the drum 6 likewise revolves in a direction so that the wireropes 52 are coiled upon the drum 6. In most cases it is preferred toprovide at least the latter portion of the drum surface with an inclinedramp 68 disposed in the bottom of each of the spaces between theadjacent plates and leading up to and substantially continuing theheight of the arcuate surface 48 of the adjacent anchor block. Thus asthe rope is wound onto the drumit is lifted to clear and ride againstthe arcuate surface 48 and then to wrap itself around the subjacent turnof the previously wrapped rope. In this fashion there is built up anapproximate helix of a plurality of rope turns on the drum, the axialspacing being taken care of by the intervening plates. Reverse rotationof the drive gear 18 permits the ropes to pay out until such time as therope is again substantially tangent to the anchor blocks.

In the event an individual rope or anchor block must be examined, therope is payed out and the mechanism is stopped and suitable ones of thefastenings 63 and 64 are removed when the parts are preferablysubstantially in the rotated position shown in FIGURE 2. If desired, thebottom plate 58 is lowered in the direction of the arrow 69 (sometimesby the use of an appropriate jack or cribbing). A hoist is put inengagement with the bail 67 and when actuated lifts the top half 57 ofthe plate 56 in the direction of the arrow 70 substantially asillustrated in FIGURE 2. This operation can be performed individuallywith any one of the plates 56 without disturbing any of the others orcan also be performed upon any number of such plates. In any event, oneor more of the anchor blocks is so exposed and when its attached rope isslack can readily be lifted radially out of the key way 33 forinspection, detachment of the rope or replacement. After a replacementanchor block is radially installed in its appropriate location Withinthe key way 33, the top and bottom plates 57 and 58 are moved radiallyinto position and the fastenings 63 and 64 are reinstalled in thedirection of the axes 59 and 60 and tightened. The mechanism is thenready for further operation. No axial block or plate movement isrequired.

In a somewhat similar fashion, there is provided another form of hoistconstruction as shown in FIGURES 3-6 inclusive. In this instance a drumshaft 71 is provided with journal ends '72 and 73 designed to be mountedfor rotation in any suitable mechanism (not shown) about a rotationaland symmetrical axis 74. Included in the drum construction is a drumshell 76 located by plates '77 and 78 welded in place. The surface ofthe drum in one area is turned to afford a cylindrical surface 79 forthe reception of the hub 81 of a drive gear 82. Teeth 83 around theperiphery of the gear are in engagement with a drive mechanism (notshown). The gear hub 81 abuts a flange 84 turned on the outer peripheryof the drum 76 while a key way 87 extending axially of the drum receivesa key 88 also lying in a notch 89 formed within the hub 81 of the gearso that the gear and the drum turn in unison.

In this form of the device there is lodged against the flange 84 arelatively thick end plate 91 which is in one piece and is annular inconfiguration. The plate 91 has a notch 92 extending outwardly from itsinner periphery and of a contour to receive one portion of an anchorblock 93. This anchor block is also provided with a flat lower surface94, a pair of parallel sides 96 and 97 and a generally arcuate outersurface 98. On' either side of the outer surface 98 the anchor block isformed with a pair of fiat surfaces 99 and 101, the former beingdesigned specifically to receive the adjacent portion of the plate 91and firmly to interengage with the notch. Similar plates 102 aresuccessively assembled over one end of the demounted drum to engage withsuccessive ones of the blocks 93.

The manner of assembly is first to position the end plate 91, then anadjacent block 93, then one of the plates 102. Following that anotheranchor block 93 is positioned and is succeeded by the positioning of itsadjacent plate 102, and so on. The dimensions of the parts are such thatthe axial spacing is accomplished by the width of the upstanding arcuateportion 98 of the anchor blocks, which do not quite touch each otherwithin the key way 87. As before, each of the anchor blocks has athrough bore 103 in which the end of a wire rope 104 is lodged, spreadand leaded for permanent anchorage.

The rope 104 extends tangentially from its anchor block but instead ofresting directly on the surface of the drum, rests instead upon theouter surface of a crescent ramp 106 having a set inner radius but anincreasing outer radius as it encompasses the drum so that the highterminus of the crescent ramp 106 is substantially a continuation of thearcuate surface 98 of the anchor block. Thus in one rotation the rope104 lifts radially so that it can coil upon itself to form anapproximate spiral. The rope is axially confined between the adjacentwalls of the various plates 91 and 102.

Finally the assembly is completed by an end plate 107 comparable to theplate 91 and itself a continuous annulus having an appropriate key orblock notch 108 therein. The assembly is maintained against axialdislodgment by the positioning of a locking annular plate 111 abuttingthe inner portion of the end plate 107 and pierced to receive fasteningbolts 112 engaging the drum 76. When the machine bolts 112 aretightened, the locking plate 111 is urged toward the flange 84 and theintervening parts are pressed tightly against each other, except thatspacing sufiicient to allow freedom for the various ropes is afforded bythe upper projecting portion of the anchor blocks and by the interveningspiral or crescent ramps 106.

With this mechanism, when it is desired to withdraw and inspect any ofthe ropes and anchor blocks, the machine screws 112 are withdrawn andthe locking plate shifted away, preferably when the mechanism isoriented as shown in FIGURE 3. Then the two top machine bolts 112 arereplaced as shown in FIGURE 6 and a special guide block 113 isinstalled. The guide block has substantially the end contour of theanchor blocks but in addition has a cross bar 114 with notches 116 sothat the guide block mechanism can be temporarilymounted underneath theheads of the machine screws, which can then be tightened in position.Following this, the end plate 107 is axially moved in the direction ofthe arrow 117 (FIGURE 5) and is so guided into a spaced relationship.

The end plate can be removed entirely from the drum if the journal 73has theretofore been freed or if it is necessary merely to inspect therope and to withdraw individual ones of the anchor blocks that caneasily be accomplished after the parts are in the position shown inFIGURE 5 by a radial withdrawal of the anchor block from the key Way 87.If other than the end anchor block is to be withdrawn, it is easy tomove the adjacent plates 102 and blocks axially toward the end plate 107in its new position and one or more of the subjacent anchor blocks arethen freed on both shoulders by axial translation until they can beindividually lifted out by a radial motion. The reinstallation is in thereverse order. Following reinstallation, the temporary support 113 isremoved, the locking plate 111 is reinstalled with all of the fasteningscrews 112 and the mechanism is again ready for operation. While it ispossible, as shown in the figures, to shift various parts with the linespartly or wholly wound, especially if they are temporarily clamped, itis normally preferred to unwind the lines before working on the drum.

In both forms of the hoist construction there is provided an arrangementin which a plurality of ropes disposed in parallel are firmly andpositively held in position and locked in place in which the ropes aretaken in and payed out between adjacent plates serving as guide ways sothat the ropes are coiled in spiral form in a planar fashion andperpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hoist drum and also anarrangement in which individual ropes can easily be removed withoutdismantling the entire.

structure or in which the entire group of ropes can be simultaneouslywithdrawn and reassembled.

What is claimed is:

1. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means for supporting saiddrum for rotation about an axis, means in said drum defining an axiallyextending keyway, a drive wheel mounted on said drum, a key disposed insaid keyway and engaging said drive wheel, an anchor block dis posed insaid keyway adjacent said key, a first pair of coplanar semi-annularplates ecompassing said drum and in part overlying a portion of saidanchor block, a second pair of coplanar semi-annular plates encompassingsaid drum and in part overlying another portion of said anchor block,means for detachably securing together the semiannular plates of saidpairs, and a rope anchored to said anchor block and disposed around saiddrum between said first pair and said second pair of semi-annularplates.

2. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means defining an axiallyextending keyway in said drum, an anchor block abutting said drum andfitting in said keyway and having a portion extending radially from saidkeyway, a rope extending into and anchored in said anchor block andextending therefrom tangentially of said drum, a first plate segment ina postion abutting said drum and engaging said extending portion of saidanchor block on one side of said rope, a second plate segment abuttingsaid drum and in a position parallel to said first plate segment andengaging another extended portion of said anchor block on the other sideof said rope, means interposed between said plates for holding saidplates axially apart, and means engaging said drum for removably holdingsaid plate segments in said positions.

3. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means defining an axiallyextending keyway in said drum, an anchor block disposed in and having aportion projecting radially from said keyway, a rope anchored in saidanchor block and extending therefrom tangentially of said drum, a firstplate segment in a position radially engaging one outer portion of saidanchor block on one side of said rope, means in said first plate segmentforming a notch interfitting with said projecting portion, a secondplate segment in a position radially engaging another outer portion ofsaid anchor block on the other side of said rope, means in said secondplate segment forming a second notch interfitting with said projectingportion, means interposed between said plates for holding said platesaxially apart, and means engaging said drum for removably holding saidplate segments in said positions.

4. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means for supporting saiddrum for rotation about an axis, means forming a pair of circumferentialgrooves in said drum, means defining an axially extending keyway in saiddrum, an anchor block disposed in said keyway and having a portionprojecting radially from said drum, a first semiannular plate seated inone of said grooves and overlying one portion of said anchor block,means forming a notch in said first semi-annular plate interfitting withsaid anchor block, a second semi-annular plate seated in the other ofsaid grooves and overlying another portion of said anchor block, meansforming a notch in said second semi-annular plate interfitting with saidanchor block, and means engaging said drum for removably holding saidsemi-annular plates in said positions.

5. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means defining an axiallyextending keyway in said drum, an anchor block disposed in said keywayand having a portion projecting radially therefrom, means forming a borein said block tangential to said drum, a first annular plateencompassing said drum and overlying one side of said anchor block,means on said first plate forming a first notch interfitting with saidprojecting portion, a second annular plate encompassing said drum andoverlying lthe'other side of said anchor block, means on said secondplate forming a second notch interfitting with said projecting portion,means for spacing said plates axially apart to lie on opposite sides ofsaid bore, and means for holding said plates on said drum.

6. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means defining an axiallyextending keyway in said drum, an anchor block disposed in said keywayand having a portion projecting therefrom, a rope anchored in saidanchor block and extending tangentially of said drum, a first annularplate encompassing said drum and overlying said anchor block on one sideof said rope, means on said first plate forming a first notchinterfitting with said projecting portion, a second annular plateencompassing said drum and overlying said anchor block on the other sideof said rope, means on said second plate forming a second notchinterfitting with said projecting portion, means on said anchor blockinterposed between said first and said second annular plates for spacingsaid plates apart, a shoulder on said drum, and means for urging saidfirst annular plate and said second annular plate and said anchor blockaxially toward said shoulder.

7. A hoist construction comprising a drum, means forming an axial keywayin said drum, a plurality of anchor blocks arranged side by side andfitting in and projecting radially from said keyway, a plurality ofguide plates encompassing said drum and having radial notchesinterfitting With the radially projecting portion of adjacent ones ofsaid anchor blocks, means interposed between adjacent guide plates forspacing said guide plates a predetermined axial distance apart, and aplurality of ropes fastened in respective ones of said anchor blocks andlying in the axial spaces between successive ones of said plurality ofguide plates.

8. A hoist construction comprising a drum, a plurality of side by sideanchor blocks abutting the surface of said drum, a plurality of ropeseach secured to one of said anchor blocks and extending therefrom in adirection tangent to said drum, a plurality of removable guide plates 17 encompassing said drum between the ends thereof and radially abuttingadjacent ones of said anchor blocks, means for locating said guideplates on opposite sides of said ropes a distance slightly greater thanthe diameter of said rope, and means for holding said removable guideplates on said drum.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8Carlson May 12, 1925 Ashmead et a1 Mar. 23, 1926 Proctor Aug. 9, 1932Mossberg Aug. 16, 1938 Jenkins Jan. 10, 1939 Mossberg Jan. 24, 1939 SoleAug. 27, 1940 Rovas Dec. 11, 1951 Speed et a1. July 17, 1956 FOREIGNPATENTS Great Britain Oct. 6, 1921

8. A HOIST CONSTRUCTION COMPRISING A DRUM, A PLURALITY OF SIDE BY SIDEANCHOR BLOCKS ABUTTING THE SURFACE OF SAID DRUM, A PLURALITY OF ROPESEACH SECURED TO ONE OF SAID ANCHOR BLOCKS AND EXTENDING THEREFROM IN ADIRECTION TANGENT TO SAID DRUM, A PLURALITY OF REMOVABLE GUIDE PLATESENCOMPASSING SAID DRUM BETWEEN THE ENDS THEREOF AND RADIALLY ABUTTINGADJACENT ONES OF SAID ANCHOR BLOCKS, MEANS FOR LOCATING SAID GUIDEPLATES ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID ROPES A DISTANCE SLIGHTLY GREATER THANTHE DIAMETER OF SAID ROPE, AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID REMOVABLE GUIDEPLATES ON SAID DRUM.